Animal trap



Oct. 19, 1937. J, WARD 2,096,368

ANIMAL TRA;

Filed Sept. 8, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l ,494 922 5537MB ya Tic-.E -35,7 a 99 3mm Oct. 19, 1937. J. WARD 2,096,368

' vANIMAL TRAP Filed sept; 8. 1936 s sheets-sheet 2 Gum/M434 Oct. 19, 1937. J. WARD ANIMAL TRAP Filed sept'. s, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 gmc/wim 1727 WHRD.

Patented Oct. 19, 1937 PATENT OFFICE ANIMAL TRAP Jay Ward, Huron, Ohio Application September 8, 1936, Serial No. 99,828

19 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in animal traps of the revolving type, which comprise instrumentalities for automatically resetting the trap after the same has been Operated.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a trap of the character above referred to, which comprises setting and tripping instru-V mentalities of a very simple and efficient construction for carrying out the operation of the trap, and which comprises further especially designed jaw members so positioned in regard to' the tripping instrumentalities as to assure a quick and safe destruction of animals, eliminating any Y possibility of escape of the same.

YA further object of the present invention consists in the provision of automatic instrumentalities for restoring the setting and tripping instrumentalities of the trap for subsequent operations thereof in a very eflicient manner.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of an animal trap of the rotary type of a construction, wherein the parts of the same are easily accessible and form lan open structure to facilitate easy cleaning thereof and to permit admission of an abundance of light so that the animals to be caught therein will more likely enter the same without hesitation.

A further object of the present invention isthe provision of a'receptacle yor container 'associated withthe device of the present invention in such a manner as to receive the carcasses of destroyed animals after the same have been released by the jaws which form a part of the present construction. In this way a more sanitary disposal of the carcasses discharged from the trap is availed of, and the same are nov longer visible to other animals .approaching the trap.

A still'further provision of the device of the present invention is the arrangement of guard rmembers associated with the stationary jaws of the animal trap of the present construction, to facilitate the disposal of the carcasses discharged from the trap into the receptacle above referred to.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 represents a top plan view of the animal trap of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View of the trap construction shown Vin Figuregl, section being taken on line 2 2 of said figure.

Figure 3 illustrates a front elevation of the device of the present construction, cert-ain parts being shown in section.

' fastening means.

` Figure 4 is a side elevation of the construction of the present invention.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are 'detailed views of parts of the setting and tripping mechanism as employed herein, these details being shown in perspective.

Figure 8 is a sectional detail view of one of the' projections of the rotatable cam-disc member.

Figure 9 is a detail view of the setting and tripping mechanism, partly in section and partly in elevation, certain parts being omitted.

Figure 10 is a top view of the illustration shown in Figure 9, taken on line Ill-I0, certain parts being omitted.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, I indicates a base member provided with standards 2 secured thereon by means of screws, or any other fastening devices 3. The standards 2 are spaced from each other so as to receive the trap structure generally indicated at 4 therebetween. The trap structure or carrier member 4 is mounted upony a shaft 5 rotatably mounted within they uprights 2 and provided with a crank handle 6. The trap structure 4 consists of a rotatable camdiso 'I and a rotatable disc 8. The members I and 8 are adjacent the uprights 2, rotatably arranged upon the shaft 5.

Interconnecting the rotatable cam-disc 'I and the rotatable disc 8 are fixed or stationary jaw members 9. The stationary or fixed jaw members 9 may be welded or soldered to the discs 1 or 8, or may be attached thereto by any other The portions I 0 of the stationary jaw members are provided with a sharp edge II, and a reinforcing member I2 also provided with a sharp edge I3 is connected to each stationary jaw portion ID to reinforce the latter.

Interposed between the shaft 5 and the rotatable member 'I is a spiral spring I4. One end of the spring is attached to the shaft 5, while the other is connected to the spring casing I5 secured to the cam-disc 1 by means of screws I6. A hook-like member IT attached to one of the standards 2, adjacent the crank handle 6 of shaft 5, is provided retaining the handle 6 in a position as shown in Figures 1 and 2, after winding of the spring to cause rotation of the trap structure 4, as will be more specifically referred to hereinafter.

The stationary jaws 9 are diametrically opposite each other as will be clearly seen from Figure 2, and while the same have been referred to as being stationary or fixed jaw members, 'it must be understood, however, that the same are rotatable with the trap structure 4 around theV shaft Y 5.

` Arranged'for cooperation with the stationary jaw members, and ydiametrically opposite' each other, are Vmovable jaw members I8. These movable jaw members are rotatably arranged upon the shaft 5 by means of arms I9 and 28; These arms I9 and 25 may be'preferably integral with themovable jaws I8, the latter being provided with teeth or corrugations at their-biting'edges 2|, which are adapted to cooperate Ywith the Y sharp edgesY II and portions Ill ofV thestationary Jaws. Y f The `movable jaws carry abutment members 22 arranged for cooperation with certain controlling instrumentalities referred to later on.

Attached to the movable jaw members and the Y ends 23 of the abutments 22 and. interposed between the stationary and movable jaw members are coil springs 24 for urging the movable Yjaw membersinto contactwith the stationary `jaw members 9, when the vmovable jaw members I8 are released bycertain controlling instrumentalities, to which reference will be made as the description proceeds.

The rotatable cam-disc member ,'I'is providedv with a plurality of cam portions 25, 26, 21Y and 28which are separatedA from each other by diametrically extending portions 29.' Y

Mounted upon the base'V IY adjacent the lowermost portion of the rotatable cam-disc member 'I is a supporting. member 30 which carries the controlV instrumentalities of the animal trap of the present invention. f s Y AsV will be seen from Figure 3the member l3|! comprises three upwardly extending wall portions 3I,`372 and 33. The rotatable cam-disc member 'I extends into the space defined by the upwardly extending wall portions 3| and 32 of themember 30. f

Movably arranged between the wall portions 3l and 32 of the memberY 38 is a retaining lever 34 provided at one of itsends with a slightly transverse extending portionY 35, as will be best seenffromFigures 2 and 7. The portion 35 of the lever'34 cooperates witha lock lever 36, pvotally mounted at 31 upon the basey I .V The lock Y lever 36 cooperates with the downwardly extend- Y portion 38 is a part. In other words, the yporing portion 38 of the trippinginstrumentalities generally indicated at 39. The'tripping instrumentalities 39 consist of a somewhat U-shaped trip lever 40 of which the downwardly extending tion` 38 which is provided with an interlock portion 4I is integral with the trip lever member Y4l), rotatably carried between the supporting member 30 and the upright 2a.

' The other end of lever 4U Opposite the portion f 38 is supported within the standard'Zc'r and pron vided with a crank arm'portion 42 which engages one end of a spring 43, the other end of which is secured to the base IY at 44. The spring 44 is primarily adapted to balance the weight of Y the lever 40, which is pivotally secured to support Y' 30 atr45. 'Ihe lever 48 is further provided with a loop portion 46 thru whicha trip actuating lever ,41 extends, as clearlyseen from Figure The screws 63. Y

end with several openings 54 adapted to'be engaged by a coil spring 55, secured with its other end toY resetting leverl 56, which is rotatably arand provided with an arm 53V and transverse portion 59, extending between the lock'lever 33 and trip lever 40. Y Y

' In close proximity tothe rear ofthe trap structure`4 is a container or receptacle 60, which is secured to the base I by means. o f `fastening inranged within the member 30, as shown at 5lY strumentalities V6I.} Thebottom of the vreceptacle f BIJ isY formed'by the base I,A and the Yfront Wall ethereof, as shown at 62, is Vformed by a separate wall member attached to the base I by means of The rotatable cam-disc 'I is provided without- -wardly bent projections 65 as Aclearly seen from e Figures 4 and 8, cooperating with a leaf spring 66 to prevent backwardirotation of member 'l when the trap is conditioned for operation. The'le'a spring is connected to the standard 2h and contacts slightly with its free end against the member I so as to abut withl the portions 65 ina manner as will be specifically described later on.

The wall 32 of the member 30 is provided with a hole S'Irwithin which a ball'or shiftable member 68 is arranged. An Vopening 69 somewhat larger Vthan the ball 63 within theupwardly'extending Vwall 33 of the member 30'and normally closed by Y a threaded plug is provided to permit the insertion of the ball 68V in its place. f The ball 68.*is`

arranged within the member 30 insuch a manner that'when the lever 34'holds the sameinapositionA as shown in AFigure 3,it will extend into the compartment 69 Vof the member 30 and prevent the passage of any one of the abutment members Y' y 2 2, untilcertain instrumentalities arevoperated, Y

and the bal1r38fispern1itted'to move out ofthe :1

compartment 69 and to partment lll.

The cam portions 25, 26,21 and 28 of the member 'I are successively in close proximityof the ball or shiftable retaining member 68, inviewof 1 v the fact thatrthey extend into the compartment Y'I'Ilof the member 38,'so'that'upon rotation of the disc 1, any of these cam membersrwhich is at that time opposite the ball 68,'will exert a shifting partially enter the com-V action upon the ball, and force the same into the 1 compartment 69, as seen lin `AFigure 3, in which positionV the ball is thenheldf by the retaining lever 34V which has now movedupwardlyintoY l the position as shown in Figure 3 by the shifting I action of such cam portions 25 to 28 inclusive, as may be in cooperation therewith at such time.

The resetting lever 56 is provided with a portion 1I, which extends transversely with respect cani portions thereof The stationary jaw membersV 9 i are provided with guard Aplates I2, which prevent thecarcasses Y dischargedfrorn thetrap of the present'invention from: falling 'within Ythe structure of the device Y to the member 1, and is adapted to engage the Y andinterfering'with the properoperation thereof. Y

The guard plates'12 facilitate further, the dis-VV posal ofthe carcasses within the-'container or compartment Ill.V Y

The operation ofthe devicelisras foll'ows:--Y Y 'The retaining member I1 is disconnected from thecrank handle 6, the latter is Vrotated in va counterclockwise direction, and the spring I4 is in its downward position by meansV ofthe retaintween the shaft 5 andthe -member-I will now Y This locks alsorlthe shaft 5 against rotation.YA The spring YVI4 interposed bethereby 'tensionedY VThe handle 6 is now locked..`

rotate the carrier member 4 and one of the cam portions of the disc 'I adjacent the ball 68 will engage the same and force the same toward the compartment 65. The cam portion actuating the ball @Bis at that time also contactingwith the retaining lever34 at the forward-end of the latter, and the lever 34 is thereby moved downwardly with itsfront end. The lever 34 will reach its lowermost position before the portion 29 at the end of the respective cam portion of the disc 'Il has passed the lever 34. The rear portion of lever 34 is` now directly in front of the opening 6T, and retains the ball or shiftable retaining memberin a position as shown in Figure 3.

Such upward movement of the retaining lever 34 which engages with its portion 35, the lock lever 36, will move the latter upwardly to interengage with the portion 4I of the trip lever 4B. The trip lever 4S has been` previously raised to the position as shown in Figure 3 by means of the resetting lever 56, the end 'II of which has been pressed downwardly by the respective cam portion of the disc 'I cooperating with the same at that time, while the upward movement of the portion 58 of the lever 56 caused the raising of the trip lever 4I! and trip actuating lever 4'I, so that the part 4I engages now the lock lever 36, which is raised in the manner as previously described.

The lever 36 is locked in its position as shown in Figure 2, and the setting and tripping instrumentalities are now conditioned for operation.

During the operation of the parts as described hereinbefore, the rotation of the disc I causes rotation also of the stationary 'and movable jaw members 9 and I8 respectively. The abutment 22 of one of the movable jawmembers I8 which at that time is adjacent the ball 63, will be held f supporting structure I9 will be held back against rotation, and the coilspring associated with the latter will also be tensioned. Therefore, it will be seen with the parts now as shown in Figure 2 that the lowermost movable jaw member i8 has been moved away from the stationary jaw member 9 and an opening is thereby provided thru which an animal may have access to the bait 53.

The rotation of the unit 4 continues against the force ofv springs 24 until the same balances with the force of the spring I4. The animal is thereby compelled to enter they trap between one of the stationary jaws and the movable jawheld under tension by spring 24, and as soon as it touches the trip actuating or release lever 4'I, the same moves downwardly causing a corresponding movement ofthe` trip lever 40, and the portion 4I will be disengaged from the lock lever 36. The latter drops down and releases the retaining lever 34, which also moves downwardly on account of its own weight, and releases the ball 63 which now enters the compartment 10, thereby moving out of the way of the abutment member 22 on the movable jaw I8 now under tensio-n; whereupon, the movable jaw will rapidly move toward the stationary jaw 9 with which it cooperates, and the animal will be caught between the sharp edges of the jaws and will be immediately destroyed. Y

f It must be noted that rbefore the movable jaw I8 moves to its closed position the animal must enter the trap far enough to touch the portion 5I of the trip actuating lever and will, therefore, be caught between the jaws behind its front legs so that escape is impossible. Immediately upon the completionV of the cycle of operation, just described, and coincident with the movement of the movable jaw I8, just referred to, the unit 4 will again rotate to condition the trap for a subsequent operation, in the same manner as previously described. Now the next movable jaw will Ybe conditioned 'tor-operative position while the movable and stationary jaws between which the animal has just been caught move upwardly with theA same and the animal is now held in position as shown at 'I5 in Figure 2.

In this manner, animals entering the trap may be caught in successive operation and moved upwardly during the rotation of the apparatus as hereinbefore mentioned.

It has also to be noted that the movable jaw diametrically opposite to the movable jaw conditioned for operation will be opened. This happens when'the destroyed animals have passed their uppermost point of elevation during rota- 'f tion of the trap. The movement of the movable jaw I8a, for instance, to its open position is suddenly'initiated while the stationary jaw 9a, for instance, continues somewhat its rotation. The carcass of the destroyed animal will, therefore, be discharged from the device, and will fall into the compartment 60, fromV where it may be later removed. The guard plates I2 on the stationary jaws 9, as previously mentioned, prevent the carcass from dropping between the operating instrumentalities of the trap, and may eventually apply a kick to the carcass to be disposed of to throw the same farther away from the trap structure and into the compartment 60. In this way,

the device may operate in succession without any 3 attendants. It is only necessary from time to time, to rewind the spring I4.

When the mechanism is in its set position, one of the projections 65 is engaged by the leaf spring 66, and a backward rotation of the rotatable cam disc is eliminated. Such backward rotation or reaction upon the disc I is caused by the tensioning of the springs 24. In other words, when the backward rotation of the member I would not be prevented `at a point where the tension of the springs 24 has reached the same vforce as the tension of the spring I4, the parts of the mechanism may be rendered inoperative, or the resetting lever 56 will be subjected to undue strain. Y

It has to be further noted that when the shiftable retaining member 68 is moved out of the way of one of the abutment members 22 during tripping action of the device, a short interval of time will elapse before it is engaged by one of the succeeding cam portions 25 to 28 inclusive, so that a complete release of one of the abutments 22, with which the shiftable member was in cooperation before the tripping action, is assured.

The springs 55 and 55h hold the resetting lever 56 in contact with the cam portions of the rotatable member 1.

The animal trap of the present invention is especially adaptable for the destruction of small animals such as mice, rats o r like pests and in view of its sturdy construction it will not be liable to .break or get out of order.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:-

1. A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a rotatable member, cam portions on said rotatable member, stationary, jaw members on said rotatable member, movable jaw members cooperating with the stationary jaw members, controlling instrumentalities for rendering the movable vjaw membersroperativefor cooperation with the stationary jaw members, said controlling instrumentalities ,comprisingr parts cooperating with saidV camV portions, and means for tripping said controlling instrumentalities to eiect operation of the movable jaw members. Y

2. In a device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a base, a shaft, means for supporting said shaft upon the base, a rotatable member carried by said shaft, cam portions on said rotatable member, resilient means between said shaft and rotatablemember forro-KV tating the latter, stationary jaws on said Yrotatable member, movable jaws on said shaft and cooperating with said stationary jaws, resilient means between said stationary and movable jaws, abutment instrumentalities on said movable jaws, and Ymeans for controlling the operation of the movable jaws" cooperating with-the said abutment instrumentalities and cam portions.

3. A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a plurality of rotatable disc members, stationary jaw members carried by said disc members, movable jaw members cooperating with said stationary jaw members, means for setting Vthe jaw members into operative position, and cam portions on' one-of said rotatable disc members for initiatingthe operation of said setting means.

4.' A device of the character described, cornpris-Y Y Y ing, in combination, a base, a shaft carried by said base, a plurality of disc members rotatably 'j arranged upon said shaft means for rotating said disc member, stationary jaw members interconnecting said disc members, guard portions on the stationary jaw members, movable jaw members mounted on the shaft and cooperating with said stationary jaw members, means for controlling the operation of the movable` jaw members, and cam members upon one of saidY disc members'for initiating the operation of the controlling instrumentalities uponrotation'of said discmembers.

5Anhanimal trap of the character described, comprising, in combination, a carrier membera plurality of cooperating jaws thereon, means for rotating said carrier member and jaws to bring said jaw membersin successive operative positionsfabutment members on certain ofY said jaw4 members, a ball-like retaining member cooperating with said abutment members for effecting opening of the jaw members, means for control-7 ling the operation of the ball-like retaining member, and instrumentalities for releasing the remeans for rotating said carrier member and jaws controlling the operation of the ball-like retaining member including 'a plurality of cam portions on said carrier membenand instrumentalities for said jaw members.

releasing the retainingV member thereby closing:

t 7.v A device of the character described, comprising, in'combination, a rotatable member, cam prortions onthefrotatable member, stationary jaw members-on the rotatable member, movable Vjaw members cooperating with saidY stationary jawV members, controlling means'for causing opening andrclosing of cooperating jaw members, abutment members on Vsaid Vmovable Vjaw rnernbersfco-V Y operating with said controlling means, said con-v d trolling means comprising a ball member c ooper-V atingwithsaid cam portions Vand abutment Ymembers for conditioning of the movable jaw members for operation, a ball retaininglever, and trip means-for saidball retaining lever for causing tripping of the movable jaw members.

8. A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a rotatable member, cam portions on the rotatable member, stationary jaw members o n the rotatable membenmov'able jawy members cooperating withV said stationary jaw i members, resilientmeansv for urgingthe movable jaw lmembers toward said stationary jaw members, controllingmeans for causing opening and closing of cooperating jaw'members, abutment Y members on saidV movable jaw members cooperating with said lcontrolling means, saidcontrolling means comprising a'ball member, cooperating with said cam portions and abutment members for conditioning of the movable jaw members for Y operation, a ball retaining lever, andtrip means for saidball retaining lever for causing tripping of the movable jaw members.v Y.

v9. fAn animal trap of the character described,

comprising, in combinatioma carrier member, aY

plurality of cooperating jaws thereon, means for rotating said carrier member andY jaws' to bring V- said jaw members in successive',operativev positive operative positions, means for contrcllingthe operation of the ball-like retaining member, in-

Vstrumentalities Vforreleasng the retaining member thereby closing said vjaw members, and guard means associated Ywith certain of the jaw members. Y 10A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, ajrotatable unit, a shaft for supporting said unit, means for rotating the rotatable unit, a series of cooperating jaws on said shaft and unit, resilient meansbetween 'cooperat-V ing jaws'for urging the sametoward each other, Y

abutment members on'certainrof'said jaws, ballmembers and for holding-the same and their associated jaw members against'the rotation of the rotatable unit toY thereby tension said resilient means and condition cooperatingv jaws for trapping operation, aV retaining lever for holding saidV jawsv for performing trapping operationthereof.

111. A device'of the character described, com-V prising, incombination, a rotatable unit, a shaft for supporting said unit, mean s for rotating the Vrotatable unit,a series of cooperatingljaws on i said shaft and unit, resilient means between co-Y Yion ' like retaining Vmeans for Vengaging saidabutment Y Y Vball-like means in engagement with at least one of said abutment membersfa trip leven-a lock leverinterlockingsaid tripwlever and retaininglever, and artrip actuating leverfor effecting re-V 32 lease ofi said lock'lever to produce a corresponde Y. ing release of said retaining lei/erfand*ball-likeV 'member for tripping cooperating 1 conditioned operating jaws for urging the same toward eachY other, abutment Ymembers on certain of said jaws, 1

ball-,likeretaining'means for engaging said abutment members and rfor holding the samejand 1 their associated jaw members against'the rota- GOV tion/of the rotatable unit to thereby tension said resilient 'means vand condition cooperating jaws for trapping operation, a retaining lever for holding saidball-like means in engagement with atleast one of saidv abutment members, a trip lever, a lockle'ver interlock-ing said trip lever and retaining lever, a trip actuating lever for effecting release vof said lock lever to produce a corresponding release of said retaining lever and balllike member for tripping cooperating conditioned jaws for performing trapping operation thereof, and means for resetting said retaining lever, lock lever and trip lever to condition cooperating jaws for successive operation. y

12. A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a rotatable unit, a shaft for `supporting said unit, means for rotating the rotatable unit, a series of cooperating` jaws on said-shaft and unit, resilient means between cooperating jaws for urging the same toward each other, abutment members on certain of said jaws,

ball-like retaining means for engaging said abutment ymembers and for holding the same and their associated jaw members against the rotation of the rotatable unit to thereby tension said resilient means and condition cooperating jaws for trapping operation, a retaining lever for holding said ball-like means in engagement with at least one of said abutment members, a trip lever, a lock lever interlocking said trip lever and retaining lever, a trip actuating lever for eiecting release of said lock lever to produce a corresponding release of said retaining lever and balllike member for tripping cooperating and conditioned jaws for performing trapping operation thereof, and means for resetting said retaining lever, lock lever and trip lever to condition cooperating jaws for successive operation, said means including cam members on said rotatable unit cooperating with said ball-like member.

13. A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a rotatable unit, a shaft for supporting said unit, means for rotating the rotatable unit, a series of cooperating jaws on said shaft and unit, resilient means between cooperating jaws for urging the same toward each other, abutment members on certain of said jaws, ball-like retaining means for engaging said abutment members and for holding the same and their associated jaw members against the rotation of the rotatable unit to thereby tension said resilient means and condition operating jaws for trapping operation, a retaining lever for holding said balllike means in engagement with at least one of said abutment members, a trip lever, a lock lever interlocking said trip lever and retaining lever, a trip actuating lever for effecting release of said lock lever to produce a corresponding release of said retaining lever and ball-like member for tripping cooperating conditioned jaws for performing trapping operation thereof, means for resetting said retaining lever, lock lever and trip lever to condition cooperating jaws for successive operation, and means for controlling the rotation of said rotatable unit.

14. A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a rotatable unit, a shaft for supporting said rotatable unit, means for rotating said unit, stationary jaws on said unit, movable jaws on said shaft and cooperating with said stationary jaws to perform trapping functions, resilient means for urging the movable jaws toward said stationary jaws, abutment members on said movable jaws, shiftable retaining means for engaging said abutment members for holding Ythe same and the movable jaws against the rotation of the rotatable unit and away from the stationary jaws to thereby tension said resilient means and condition cooperating jaws vfor trapping operation, a retaining lever for holding said shiftable retaining means in engagement with said abutment members, a trip lever, a lock lever interlocking said trip lever and retaining lever for holding cooperating jaws in conditioned position, and a trip actuating lever for releasing said lock lever, retaining lever and shiftable member to thereby eiie'ct the tripping of conditioned jaws for performing trapping operation. Y

15. A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a rotatable unit, a shaft for supporting saidr rotatable unit, means for rotating said unit, stationary jaws on said unit, movable jaws on said shaft and cooperating with said stationaryjaws to perform trapping functions, resilient means for urging the movable jaws toward said stationary jaws, abutment members on said movable jaws, shiftable retaining means for engaging said abutment members for holding the same and the movable jaws against the rotation of the rotatable unit and away from the stationary jaws to thereby tension said resilient means and condition cooperating jaws for trapping operation, a retaining lever for holding said shiftable retaining means in engagement with said abutment members, a trip lever, a lock lever interlocking said trip lever and retaining lever for holding cooperating jaws in conditioned position, a trip actuating lever for releasing said lock lever, retaining lever and shiftable member to thereby eifect the tripping of conditioned jaws for performing trapping operation, and cam members on said rotatable unit for initiating the operation of the shiftable member and retaining lever upon rotation of said unit.

16. A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a rotatable unit, a shaft for supporting said rotatable unit, means for rotating said unit, stationary jaws on said unit, movable jaws on said shaft and cooperating with said stationary jaws to perform trapping functions, resilient means for urging the movable jaws toward said stationary jaws, abutment members on said movable jaws, shiftable retaining means for engaging said abutment members for holding the same and the movable jaws against the rotation of the rotatable unit and away from the stationary jaws to thereby tension said resilient means and condition cooperating jaws for trapping operation, a retaining lever for holding said shiftable retaining means in engagement with said abutment members, a trip lever, a lock lever interlocking said trip lever and retaining lever for holding cooperating jaws in conditioned position, a trip actuating lever for releasing said lock lever, retaining lever and shiftable member to thereby effect the tripping of conditioned jaws for performing trapping operation, cam members on said rotatable unit for initiating the operation of the shiftable member and retaining lever upon rotation of said unit, and resetting means for said trip lever cooperating with said cam members and retaining lever.

17. A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a rotatable unit, a shaft for supporting said rotatable unit, means for rotating said unit, stationary jaws on said unit, guard members on said stationary jaws, movable jaws on said shaft and cooperating with said stationary jaws to perform trapping functions, re-

for holding cooperating jaws in conditioned position, and a trip actuating lever Vfor releasing said lock lever, retaining lever and shiftable member to thereby effect the tripping of conditionedY jaws for performing trapping' operation.

18. A device Aof the character described, comprising, in combination, a rotatable member, cam portions on said rotatable member, stationary jaw members on said rotatable member, guard members Yon said stationary, jaw members, movable jawmembers cooperating with the stationary jaw members, controlling instrumentalities for rendering thegmovable "jawrmembers operative for cooperation with' the stationary Vjawfmembers, said controlling instrumentalities comprising parts cooperating with said lcamv portions,rand means for tripping said controlling instrumentalities to effect operation of the movable jaw members. Y Y Y Y 19.Y'A deviceof Ythe'character described, :comv

prising, Yin combination, a rotatable member,

means for rotating said rotatable member, cam portions on said rotatable Vmember', stationary jaw Ymembers on said rotatable member, guard members onsaid stationary Yjawmembers, movable jaw members cooperating vwith the stationary jaw members, controlling instrumentalities for rendering Ythe movable jaw members operativefor cooperation with the stationary jaw members, saidcontrollinginstrumentalities comprising parts cooperating' with said cam portions, means for tripping said controlling .instrumentalities to eiect operation of the movable Yjaw members,A and means for preventing backward rotation of the Y rotatable member.A Y Y Y Y Y Y VJAY X75/YARDV 

